Ex-tennis ace targets golf success in Lombard Trophy

Former tennis pro Malcolm Gibb will be aiming to serve up a trip to Gleneagles when he tees off in the Lombard Trophy at Kingswood Golf Club on June 19.

Gibb, who played at Wimbledon and faced the likes of Rod Laver in his hey-day, will team up with Littlestone Golf Club professional Andrew Jones in the regional final with the duo aiming to reach the  £43,600 grand final being staged at next year’s Ryder Cup venue from September 3-4.

Gibb is from Bromley in Kent, but has been a member at Littlestone since 1974.

After retiring from tennis as a coach over a decade ago at 65, Gibb has now turned to his other passion which is golf and plays off a handicap of nine.

“It was back in the 1960s when I finally made it through to Wimbledon after trying to qualify on several occasions,” he said.

“But I also used to play in the other big tournaments at Beckenham and Hurlingham. I remember playing Rod Laver and Jaroslav Drobny.”

“I coached for the LTA after that, but I had a hernia operation and retired and since then I’ve turned to golf.

“Littlestone is over 60 miles away from where I live, but it is my home club and I often travel down there.”

Gibb is also optimistic about doing well at Kingswood.

“My game wasn’t too bad earlier in the season, especially after winning the club competition to play in the Lombard Trophy,” he added.

“I think Andrew was pleased that I got through, we know each other well and get on.

“Sometimes I don’t play that well though so I’ll be hoping I have a good day at Kingswood. The handicap isn’t too bad; it hovers around the 9-10 mark so I’m happy with that.”

Other teams taking part at Kingswood include the home pairing of Mark Stewart and Ian Fox, Chris Tyrrell and Steven Duckett (New Forest Golf Club), Matthew Stock and Lee Feasey (Surrey National Golf Club), Jeff Jukes and Gordon House (Wimbledon Common Golf Club) and Stephen Rolley and Ben Colbourne (Worthing Golf Club).